ARCS to Hold Two-Mile Fundraising Walk at Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie September 30, 2006

Annual Event Will Support Prevention Programs and Services to People with HIV/AIDS; 500-plus Walkers Expected

For Immediate Release

Hudson Valley AIDS WALK Comes to Poughkeepsie, September 30th. Mayor Cozean Is Chair; Poughkeepsie Journal, Starbucks, and Hannaford Sponsor. Also Featured are Confidential HIV Testing, Complimentary Food, Live Music, Vendors, Kids’ Games, and Partnering for Fundraising with Local Agencies

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Bill Primavera, 914-785-8326

Expected to attract several hundred walkers, the AIDS WALK raises funds needed to support HIV prevention and education programs, provide services and transportation, and help people with HIV/AIDS in the lower and mid-Hudson Valley to live with dignity.

Located in Poughkeepsie for the first time, the Walk has Mayor Nancy Cozean as its Honorary Chair, and The Poughkeepsie Journal and Starbucks as Gold Sponsors. Supporting sponsors include: Hannaford Supermarkets, as the food sponsor, Ulster Publishing, InsideOUT Magazine, Congress Tavern and WDST 100.1 FM Radio, which will broadcast live from the event.

Special features of the walk include confidential HIV testing, live musical entertainment, a flea market, artisans’ booths and other vendors, a wide variety of free food, clowns and fun for kids. Live entertainment will be headlined by Hillbilly Jukebox, a blue grass band, the Poughkeepsie Teachers Jazz Combo, and a special appearance by Pete Seeger (barring any scheduling conflict).

For people living today with HIV and AIDS, support from the public is more important than ever,” said Jeff Kraus, ARCS’ Executive Director. “Funding to provide services for these individuals has not kept pace with the need and is, in many instances, actually decreasing.

“We are greatly pleased by the reception that the City of Poughkeepsie has given us, from the Mayor’s Office to the many supporters who have come forward from the business community and from other non-profit organizations,” Kraus continued. “We’re happy to be here!” New this year is ARCS’ outreach to other not-for-profit agencies which serve HIV-positive clients and their families. Walkers and Teams from these other agencies will receive a percentage of the funds they raise, while ARCS sets the stage, with all services, for them to raise money.

Other organizations working in collaboration with ARCS include: Catskill Regional Medical Center, Albany Medical Center, Dutchess County TI Planning Counsel, Hudson River HealthCare, Inc., Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, Middletown Community Health Center, Mid-Hudson TII Network, Planned Parenthood, Stephen Saunders Residence, Sullivan County AIDS Task Force, Ulster County HIV/AIDS Consumer Advisory Board, and The Recovery Center.

Educational features of the AIDS WALK include information booths for all participating partner agencies and an “Ask Me” tent, where individuals with HIV will answer questions related to their personal experiences ith the disease.

Individuals can participate in the AIDS Walk by forming Walk Teams at their place of employment, school, civic group or neighborhood, or simply by walking individually or with friends or relatives. Organizations interested in joining the Walk as a vendor or donating items for the flea market or participating in any other way, may call Bill Primavera at 914-785-8326.

ARCS is the largest organization solely dedicated to providing services to individuals and families infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS in New York’s seven county region of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

For more information about participating in the 2006 Hudson Valley AIDS WALK, visit ARCS’ website: www.arcs.org.